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April 28, 2018

India’s Nag Finally Headed Into Army Service

The Indian Army will shortly begin
inducting its first indigenously developmet anti-tank guided weaponry.
The Ministry of Defence today cleared a $70 million for 300 Nag missiles
and 25 modified BMP-2 ‘NAMICA’ carrier vehicles that will deploy the
munition. For the Indian Army, which has operated off a staple of
license-built Russian Konkurs and French Milan anti-tank missile
variants for decades, the inbound Nag is a major milestone.

In a statement today, the MoD said, “In a
boost to indigenisation and in realisation of India’s growing
technological prowess, the DAC approved procurement of Defence Research
and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) designed and developed NAG
Missile System (NAMIS) at the cost of Rs 524 crore. The system includes a
third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the
Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA). The NAG missile is a third generation
anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack capabilities that can
effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and
night. This will give a quantum boost to the Army’s capability against
enemy armour.”

In an exclusive comment to Livefist, Dr
S. Christopher, chief of India’s Defence Research & Development
Organisation which has developed the Nag weapon system, said, “The
twists and turns the program has taken are part and parcel of R&D.
Thanks to our colleagues in the army, they pushed us a lot, and that has
resulted in us getting the best out of the weapon.”

The Nag’s development has been typically
troublesome, with the most recent hurdles accumulating around seeker
performance in the extreme temperature conditions of India’s desert
sector where the missile has been trialed for years.

Speaking of the challenges during trials
that have kept the Nag for years in a seemingly endless loop,
Christopher said, “In summer, there tank engine heat versus environment
heat in a desert setting. Engine heat is hardly above that especially
when switched off. It was difficult, we were pleading saying that our
technology needs two degrees temperature differential. We especially had
a critical problem around mid noon, from 11am to 3pm, because sun is
very high and ambient temperatures are at their peak. The Nag’s range at
this time was seen to fall by a few hundred meters to 3.2 km as against
4 km. In winter, there was no such problem.”

A new indigenous seeker that has been
fielded in Nag trials over the last 18 months has evidently solved the
problems bedeviling tests.

The Indian Army is currently looking to
upgrade nearly 700 BMP-2 infantry vehicles, with integrated anti-tank
guided missile systems. The Army is also reported to be near concluding a
deal for Israel-built RAFAEL Spike anti-tank missiles for infantry
battalions.